Jack's friend party was planned a couple times in several venues, but in the end a birthday party flier switched it all again to a Marquette men's soccer game. It was possibly the easiest party I've ever planned/hosted for kids and I loved the low-key approach needed when it comes to a group of 10-year-old boys. It was a lot of fun, despite the weather.

Yes, our outdoor party was plagued by a day of thunderstorms and cold temps (the rain cleared partway through the party at least). I ran out after Jack's morning soccer game and picked up Dollar Store clear rain ponchos. The boys were not having that AT ALL. I heard from everyone of them that I was trying to make them wear garbage bags. Then one of them came up with the brilliant idea to use the ponchos as seat protectors (the bleachers were sopping wet), so they came in handy anyway.

The rest of the party was pretty simple. They made fun of me for rain ponchos and making them hold up a soccer ball sign so parents could find us for drop-off (which given the rain wasn't too tough) and we filled them with hot dogs and sugar and this cookie cake.

I had kept the favor bags pretty simple and was thankful for the (cheap) plastic packaging I had chose given the rain. I was thrilled to fins a bunch of soccer stuff on sale at Michael's (from the cheap finds section to start with and then on sale) and then filled in the rest with OTC goodies.

This was the first year that we didn't do a donation that lined up with the party's theme (in lieu of gifts). In fact, this year Jack picked the donation on his own and collected money to support his favorite radio station (it's public radio so run on donations), 88.9 Radio Milwaukee. They just moved into a brand-new space and are planning lots of community events, so I know the donations will be put to great use.

We had a much smaller group of kids than expected due to some last-minute illness (stupid weather), but I was glad for that because at halftime the boys could sit still no longer. They spent the second half of the game playing pick-up soccer on the turf field behind us. I told you it was the easiest party ever!

In the end, the boys had a great time and our contact at the University was fabulous. There were some things that we had planned that couldn't happen because of the weather, so they invited us back for another game. So cool! I'm looking forward to heading back with Jack's soccer team (and their parents) for more fun!